U.S. says more troops are needed in Iraq: "The top U.S. commander in Iraq said Thursday he needs more international forces to deal with an array of potential security threats, including al-Qaida terrorists, Iranian fighters and clashes between ethnic and religious militias."

Arnold sits out California recall debate: "Five top candidates hoping to replace Gov. Gray Davis clashed over how they would lead the state and the best way to solve California's budget crisis during their first debate, an event some believed hurt only the candidate not present: Arnold Schwarzenegger."

U.S. productivity soars in 2nd quarter: "The productivity of U.S. companies in the second quarter posted the biggest gain in more than a year as businesses produced more with fewer workers. New claims for unemployment benefits climbed last week to the highest level since the middle of July"

Tropical storm warning issued for Florida: "A tropical depression was strengthening early Thursday in the eastern Gulf of Mexico and was expected to become Tropical Storm Henri before crossing the northern Florida Peninsula, forecasters said."

Abortion clinics fear execution reprisals: "The execution of Paul Hill for the murders of an abortion doctor and his bodyguard left abortion providers holding their breath, wary that the former minister may become a martyr to the anti-abortion cause and spur others to act violently."

Court blocks FCC media ownership rules: "In a break for small media companies fearful of industry consolidation, an appeals court blocked new federal rules that would relax restrictions on how many TV stations a company can own and lift a ban on owning newspapers and broadcast outlets in the same city."

Astros move into first in tight NL Central: "With first place on the line in the tight NL Central race, the Houston Astros scored four first-inning runs, and Jeriome Robertson set a franchise record for wins by a rookie left-hander in an 8-2 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday night."

Annual Iraq occupation cost may hit $29B: "The U.S. military occupation of Iraq could cost from $8 billion to $29 billion annually, but the least expensive option would dramatically reduce the force, according to scenarios analyzed by the Congressional Budget Office."

Erdogan seeks to reassure Turks on troops: "Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan tried to reassure wary Turks on the possible deployment of Turkish peacekeepers to Iraq as the commander of U.S. forces in Europe arrived here Tuesday to discuss the possibility."

Pentagon May Have to Reduce U.S. Forces in Iraq -CBO: "The Bush administration may have tocut U.S. troops in Iraq by more than half to keep enough forcesto face other threats, a congressional agency said on Tuesdayin a report that fueled calls for more international help forpeacekeeping in Iraq. (Reuters)"

Iraq occupation could cost up to $29B: "The U.S. military occupation of Iraq could cost from $8 billion to $29 billion annually, but the least expensive option would dramatically reduce the force, according to scenarios analyzed by the Congressional Budget Office."

Jordanian king arrives in Tehran: "Jordan's King Abdullah II met with Iran's president Tuesday on the first visit by a Jordanian monarch to Iran since the 1979 Islamic revolution, with the situation in Iraq topping the agenda."

US to seek new UN resolution on Iraq: senior official: "US President George W. Bush has signed off on a proposal for a new UN Security Council resolution that would expand the United Nations mandate in Iraq, making it easier for more countries to join the stabilization force, a senior US official said. (AFP)"

U.S. Blamed For Mosque Attack: "Hundreds of thousands of Iraqis mourned the moderate Shiite cleric assassinated in a car bombing last week. The cleric's brother blamed U.S. troops for the lax security that led to the attack and demanded they leave the country."

Saddam Hunt Is High Tech: "CBS' Dan Rather reports from Tikrit, Saddam Hussein's hometown, where the most technologically advanced arm of the U.S. military has employed a digital mapping system to pinpoint Saddam's location."

Israeli says Arafat could be expelled: "Israel could seek to expel Yasser Arafat by the end of the year, the defense minister said Tuesday, calling the Palestinian leader the biggest obstacle to peace."

Israeli groups want ban on rubber bullets: "The Israeli army must remove rubber bullets from its arsenal, a human rights group said Tuesday, after a commission of inquiry ruled they are too deadly for crowd control."

The fourth car bombing in Iraq in a month killed a police station employee Tuesday, wounded at least 18 other people, and sent a column of thick black smoke rising over the Rasafa police station in western Baghdad.

The attack occurred as Shiite Muslims gathered in Najaf, to mourn the death of Ayatollah Mohammad Baqir al-Hakim, a longtime Iraqi dissident, who was among the 83 people killed in Friday's bombing of the Imam Ali Mosque.

At least 121 people have died in the four assaults, each of which has targeted people cooperating with the U.S.-backed Coalition Provisional Authority: In addition to the bombings at the Baghdad police station and the Najaf mosque, 17 people were killed in the August 7 bombing at the Jordanian embassy. The August 19 attack on the United Nations' Canal Hotel headquarters killed 20 people, including Sergio Vieira de Mello, the U.N.'s top envoy to Iraq.

Iraqis mourn cleric; Brother blames U.S.: "About 400,000 mourners took to the streets Tuesday, flailing their backs and pounding their chests in anguish at the funeral of a leading Shiite cleric assassinated in a car bomb attack. In Baghdad, another car bomb exploded outside police headquarters, killing one and wounding 13."

U.S. to train up to 5,000 air marshals: "The Homeland Security Department will train as many as 5,000 customs and immigration agents to serve as air marshals when U.S. airliners are especially threatened by terrorists, officials said Tuesday."

Economy, Iraq focus for Bush upon return: "President Bush focused on the economy and national security on his first day back at work in the White House, and the administration said it was still struggling to come up with figures on the cost of rebuilding Iraq and the number of troops needed for the job."

Kerry touts war experience in '04 kickoff: "Democrat John Kerry, seeking to regain his political footing, formally launched his presidential candidacy Tuesday by offering his Vietnam War-hero credentials and Senate tenure as an alternative to President Bush's record."

Cancer deaths may be leveling after drop: "Cancer deaths may be leveling off after several years of decline, and many states are lagging in proven methods to fight the most common tumors, says the nation's annual report on cancer."

Recent Israeli strikes against militants: "The Israeli army has killed 10 members of the militant group Hamas in helicopter missile strikes in the Gaza Strip since a suicide bombing in Jerusalem on Aug. 19:"

At Least 11 Arrested in Deadly Iraq Blast: "Al-Qaida-linked terrorists - two of them Saudi - organized the car bombing at the Imam Ali shrine in the holy city of Najaf, the third in a string of deadly attacks apparently aimed at undermining the U.S.-led occupation, police said Saturday. (AP)"

U.N. Staff in Baghdad Salutes Colleagues: "U.N. staffers stood Saturday amid the rubble at the world body's Baghdad headquarters to pay final tribute to 22 of their colleagues who died in a truck bomb attack earlier this month. (AP)"

Three Detained in Hunt for Iraq Mosque Bombers: "U.S. forces and Iraqi police havedetained three people in connection with the car bomb attackthat killed a top Shi'ite cleric and scores of his followers, asenior U.S. military officer said on Saturday. (Reuters)"

Iraqi oil pipeline ablaze north of Tikrit: "An oil pipeline linking Iraq's oilfields in Kirkuk with the Baiji refinery to the south was on fire this afternoon after a possible sabotage attack, the US military said. (AFP)"

"We're coming with a mighty force to end the reign of your
oppressors," Bush said, addressing Iraqis who might be
listening from afar. "We are coming to bring you food and
medicine and a better life. And we are coming and we will
not stop, we will not relent until your country is free."
We are very proud of you,Keep your helmet on!

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